Des Plaines, IL (November 8, 2013) - URISA is pleased to announce the presentation of one of its most popular Certified Workshops, GIS Program Management, via instructor-led web based training. URISA’s GIS Program Management workshop is regularly presented at URISA conferences, chapter events, and at regional conferences (last month in both Illinois and Kentucky). Normally a full-day classroom session, the workshop has been re-packaged into three sections and will be presented online this December to meet the constant demand for the subject matter without the travel expense and time away from work. The workshop content is thoroughly peer-reviewed and updated each year and is eligible for GISP Education credit (8 hours of EDU-2). (We’ve also applied for AICP continuing education credit for this course.)

Attendees will receive all of the benefits of traditional classroom learning in an interactive online classroom while not having the expense of traveling to onsite training locations. Interactive communication between the instructor and other attendees is accomplished through communication tools within the training platform. Participants will receive an electronic workbook to accompany the instruction.

Cost: URISA International Members: $195 Non-members: $295

Course Description: Today, most government organizations have some type of GIS programs in place. They vary from being in their early stages, to the rebuilding or tuning-up phase, to being completed changed as new technologies and applications emerge. This workshop is designed to provide guidelines for managing your GIS program. It will look at the various organizational and technical issues program managers must address in order to develop a successful GIS program. The discussions will include managing all aspects of a GIS program from staffing and budgeting to procuring technology and working with vendors. A variety of real world examples will be presented showing a range of GIS programs and their implementations. This course presents an overview of successful and unsuccessful techniques for implementing GIS.

Specific topics include:

Program development

Project management techniques

Budgeting

Staffing

Sustaining program support

And managing consultants and vendors

Intended Audience: GIS Program Management is a must for anyone embarking upon a GIS program, involved with a less-than-successful GIS, or who is seeking ways to improve a successful implementation.

Instructor Profile: Pete Croswell, PMP, GISP, ASPRS-CMS. Croswell-Schulte IT Consultants, Frankfort, KY. Peter Croswell, GISP, PMP is an expert in information technology and GIS implementation and management with 30 years experience as a GIS practitioner, GIS program manager, and consultant. Mr. Croswell currently serves as President of Croswell-Schulte Information Technology Consultants, an independent consulting firm specializing in GIS and IT program assessment, design, planning, project management, and implementation support. Previously, he was a consultant and company officer with PlanGraphics, Inc. and worked as an analyst and manager in charge of the Kentucky Natural Resources Information System (state of Kentucky). As a consultant, since the mid-1980s, he has provided support in GIS and IT planning and implementation to hundreds of public sector agencies, utility organizations, and private companies in the USA, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and China. Mr. Croswell received a bachelor's degree in geography and mathematics from the State University at Albany NY graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa and Master’s degree in geography and geology from Western Illinois University. He has had extensive post-graduate education and training in GIS, IT, and public administration. Mr. Croswell is certified as a project management professional (PMP), ASPRS Certified Mapping Scientist, GIS Professional (GISP), and Microsoft Professional (MCP), and Master Web Designer. He is noted author and a former Board member and President of URISA International and is the principle author and instructor for URISA’s GIS Program Management Workshop. He is also the author of the recently published GIS Management Handbook which is now available for purchase from URISA.

Limited Participation: Sign up early as the online ‘classroom’ is limited to only 100 participants. Consider pulling your team together to participate in the workshop together.

If your schedule will not allow your attendance at all three sessions, note that the sessions will be recorded and archived for participants’ access.

Additional Resource for Attendees: All attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase THE GIS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK (an additional textbook resource authored by Peter Croswell) at a considerable discount.